Troparia and kontakia for December 21

Forefeast of the Nativity of our Lord

Troparion — Tone 4

Prepare, O Bethlehem, for Eden has been opened to all! / Adorn yourself, O Ephratha, for the tree of life blossoms forth from the Virgin in the cave! / Her womb is a spiritual paradise planted with the Divine Fruit: / If we eat of it, we shall live forever and not die like Adam. / Christ comes to restore the image which He made in the beginning!

Kontakion — Tone 2

He who holds the earth in the hollow of His hand / now is beheld in Bethlehem wrapped in swaddling bands. / We offer pre-festal hymns to His Mother, who maternally rejoices / having held to her bosom the Son of God.

Virgin Martyr Juliana of Nicomedia, and 500 men and 130 women with her

Troparion — Tone 4

All-blameless bride and venerable trophy-bearer, / you are wedded to the Word of the immortal Father, O glorious Juliana. / For having wisely disdained your mortal bridegroom, / you strove beyond nature to destroy the serpent, / and now you delight in the joys of your Bridegroom!

Kontakion — Tone 1

You were a beautiful virgin, wise Juliana, / and as your soul was wounded with divine love, / your body was also pierced with the wounds of martyrdom adorning you as a bride of Christ and His martyr. / Now as you dwell in the heavenly bridal chamber, / you pray for us all.

Repose of Saint Peter, Metropolitan of Moscow, Wonderworker of All Russia

Troparion — Tone 4

In truth you were revealed to your flock as a rule of faith, / an image of humility and a teacher of abstinence; / your humility exalted you; / your poverty enriched you. / Hierarch Father Peter, / entreat Christ our God / that our souls may be saved.

Right-believing Princess Juliana of Vyazma

Troparion — Tone 2

Living devoutly according to the Law, and adorned with good deeds, / you appeared as a hard diamond, O Holy Right-believing Princess Juliana, / despising perishable glory and bodily beauty, / you defeated the insidious Enemy, and you were martyred for the sake of chastity. / Therefore, you were crowned by Christ God with an imperishable and eternal crown, / and now you rejoice in the assembly of the Martyrs. / Therefore, we cry out to you: / “Entreat Christ God for all of us, who with faith and love revere your sufferings.”

Kontakion — Tone 2

Today let us sing to God, the Benefactor of all, / Who glorified the divinely-wise Juliana in Russia, / that by her prayers He may grant to our souls / the forgiveness of sins and great mercy.

Martyr Themistocles of Myra in Lycia

Troparion — Tone 3

Your holy martyr Themistocles, O Lord, / through his suffering has received an incorruptible crown from You, our God. / For having Your strength, he laid low his adversaries, / and shattered the powerless boldness of demons. / Through his intercessions, save our souls!

Kontakion — Tone 2

(Podoben: “You sought the heights...”)
You appeared as a bright star announcing Christ with your radiance, / which is repulsive to this world, O Martyr Themistocles; / extinguishing the allure of false gods, / you enlighten the faithful, / always interceding for us all.

Venerable Macarius the Faster, Abbot of the Khakhuli Monastery

Troparion — Tone 8

By a flood of tears you made the desert fertile, / and your longing for God brought forth fruits in abundance. / By the radiance of miracles you illumined the whole universe! / O our holy father Macarius, pray to Christ our God to save our souls!